Graduation 2008 - Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Graduation 2008Inaugural class makes historySummer/Fall 2008

Volume 2, Number 7Daniel R. Alonso, MDDeanHavva S. IdrissVice Dean for AdministrationPublished by The Office ofPublic Affairs, WCMC-QEducation CityP.O. Box 24144Doha, QatarEmail: miv2008@qatar-med.cornell.eduMichael VertigansDirector of Public AffairsArticles by Sylvia Ismail,with additional reporting byLauren Gold and Autumn Watts, MFA.David CarlsonDesign & ProductionMartin MarionPhotographyAdditional images from:Weill Cornell Art & Photography;Maher Attar, (Office of Her HighnessSheikha Mozah); Tony Terrot; Richard LobellPhotography; Qatar Foundation;Hameed Mather; Dr. Mohamud VerjeeOn the cover: President Skorton confersthe Cornell University M.D. degree onIbrahim Sultan.At right: Where cultures connect –The Coffee House held in March broughttogether student and faculty performancesin both song and dance with proceedsgoing to charity.www.qatar-med.cornell.edu

Highlights of this issue66WCMC-Q’s Inaugural Class graduated inMay, with ceremonies in Doha followed byCommencement in Carnegie Hall, New York– a historic moment for Cornell University, forQatar and for global medical education.14Spectacular match: As they heard abouttheir remarkable success in obtainingresidency training posts, the Class of 2008had lots to celebrate.19From ancient Egyptian medicine to JamesJoyce’s Dublin, English faculty ranged far andwide in April’s Literary Lectures series.2020In a series of initiatives, WCMC-Q recentlyredoubled its effort to reach out to thecommunity, with local high schools thefocus of its activities.22As Qatar Foundation announced theconstruction of new student residencecomplexes in Education City, Qatar Chronicletook a peek at the plans to discover the shapeof things to come.Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was jointly established bythe Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Developmentand Cornell UniversitySummer/Fall 2008 1

News from WCMC-QGreat teachers” and “humble experts”:Students vote in Faculty AwardsDr. Syed Naqi, professor ofmicrobiology and immunologyteaching in both thePre-medical and Medical Programs,carried off two awards at the 2008Annual Faculty Teaching AwardsCeremony, May 15.“The nicest, most approachableperson on campus,” said one student’stestimonial. “A great teacher who canstimulate my interest even on a Thursdayafternoon,” said another.Altogether, 18 faculty members wererecognized for their contribution to thelearning experience of WCMC-Q’s students,from the Foundation Program tothe Clinical Clerkships in the third andfourth years of the Medical Program.In addition, both Dr. EstomihMtui, associate professor of clinicalanatomy in neurology andneuroscience, and Dr. MarkPochapin, associate professorof clinical medicine, won theawards for visiting facultyfor the second year running.They were presented withtheir certificates at a similarceremony for faculty of WeillCornell in New York, heldJune 12.This is the second year thatWCMC-Q has organized theceremony. Now, there are plansto keep a record of the awards in theTeaching Hall of Fame to be establishedat the Medical College.In new developments this year,student votes were collected by emailballot and the participants were invitedto submit comments in supportof their vote.A selection of messages was displayedon-screen during the event.Many paid tribute to faculty’s dedication,expertise, and willingness to“In half a semester, he introduced, taught and made us all love immunology,” said onepre-med of Dr. Syed Naqi (right), seen receiving his certificate from Dean Alonso.Dr. Kevin Smith, associate professor of chemistry,was recognized as “a father and professor.”provide support and reassurance.“You can learn a lot from simplytalking to him,” said one student ofDr. Mohamud Verjee, assistant professorof family medicine and CourseDirector for MPS II. “Very reassuringand pro-students,” stated another.And of Dr. Marco Ameduri, seniorlecturer in physics and Assistant Deanfor Pre-medical Education, a pre-medwrote: “Best teacher and personality…Simplya humble expert.”Full list of awards:Foundation Program:Dr. Imad MakkiDr. Renee RicherPre-medical Program:Dr. Marco AmeduriDr. Syed NaqiDr. Rodney SharkeyDr. Kevin SmithMedical Program – basic sciences:Dr. Gerardo GuiterDr. Lars HedinDr. Khaled MachacaDr. Syed NaqiDr. Leopold StreletzMedical Program – clinical:Dr. Ziad KronfolDr. Ravinder MamtaniDr. Nady MohamedDr. Bakr NourDr. Mohamud VerjeeVisiting faculty:Dr. Estomih MtuiDr. Mark Pochapin2 Qatar Chronicle

News from WCMC-QDr. Javaid I. Sheikh appointed Deputy DeanDr. Javaid I. Sheikh was appointedto the newly createdposition of Deputy Dean ofWCMC-Q in May.Tenured professor of psychiatryand Vice Chair of the Department ofPsychiatry at Weill Cornell MedicalCollege and Vice Dean for Research atWCMC-Q, Dr. Sheikh’s duties now includestepping in on behalf of the Deanof the Medical College in Qatar, as requested,in addition to overseeing boththe research and clinical missions.As visiting professor and specialconsultant, Dr. Sheikh contributed tothe development of WCMC-Q on apart-time basis from early 2006. HeDr. Javaid I. Sheikh, the first Deputy Dean ofWCMC-Q.joined the administration full-time inApril 2007 as Vice Dean for Research,and has spearheaded the efforts toinitiate development of the researchinfrastructure and recruitment ofworld-class researchers, as well asbuilding relations with local partnersin research.Before coming to WCMC-Q, Dr.Sheikh had a distinguished career inclinical care, research, teaching andmedical administration at StanfordUniversity School of Medicine, wherehe was professor of psychiatry andbehavioral sciences, and chief of themedical staff at the Stanford-affiliatedVA Palo Alto Health Care System.Students become published authorsFoundation students achieved amajor success with the publicationin May of Qatar Narratives, adual-language anthology of essays bywomen living in Qatar that includescontributions from five of the class.Essays by Nadya Al Awainati,Sara Al Khawaga, Aljazy Al Maraghi,Kholoud Saleh and Zahra Makki wereselected, along with others written byfirst-year pre-med Khawla Ali and lecturerin English Autumn Watts.Funded by the U.S. State Department’sMiddle East PartnershipInitiative (MEPI), the book comprisesthe winning entries in a competition,Qatar Narratives: Women Write, whichfollowed a writing workshop seriesled at Qatar University by visitingwriter Carol Henderson and projectcoordinator, Mohana Rajkumar.The students covered a widediversity of subject matter, from obesityto the tension between traditionand modernity in Qatar.Assistant professor of English, Dr.Marina Dodigovic, who coached thefoundation students in preparation forthe contest, said there had been “a tremendoussurge of creativity” amongthem. “It’s important not just for theirprofessional education, but for theirgeneral education – broadening theirviews, exposing them to new things.”Al Khawaga, who read an excerptfrom her essay at the launch, found thecompetition liberating: “It inspired meto write more creatively and come upwith new ideas. I feel proud and happyto know my writing was accepted.”While the essays were written inEnglish, the contributors had thenovel experience of having their worktranslated into Arabic. “I’ve neverhad my work translated before,” saidWatts. “As I can’t read the translation,I don’t know what’s gained, what’slost, how it has been changed. It’s anincentive to learn…”With additional reportingby Autumn Watts.“It inspired me to write morecreatively and come up withnew ideas. I feel proud andhappy to know my writingwas accepted.”— Sara Al KhawagaSummer/Fall 2008 3

News from WCMC-QBuilding strong foundations“A marvelous group of young men and women” – the foundation class celebrate completion of the year with Dean Alonso (at front,center right), Dr. Maya Hammoud (left), Dr. Imad Makki (right) and faculty.With the majority of studentsalready admittedinto the Pre-medical Program,there was a heady sense ofachievement and excitement in theair at the Foundation Program CompletionCeremony, May 1.The foundation class – 18-strongand predominantly Qatari – receivedcertificates of completion,and went on to thank the faculty, aswell as leaders of the program andMedical College.Describing them as “a marvelousgroup of young men and women,”Dean Alonso commended their hardwork and commitment to life outsidethe classroom, from environmentalaction to cultural activities.Senior lecturer in physics andprogram Director, Dr. Imad Makki,was all praise for the class. “Theyare very talented and energetic,and they are extremely committed.Somehow, through all the hardwork, they have managed to havea good time and enjoy themselves,”he said afterwards.“They are very talented and energetic, and they are extremelycommitted. Somehow, through all the hard work, they havemanaged to have a good time and enjoy themselves.”— Dr. Imad Makki, Foundation Program DirectorBesides taking courses in thesciences, math and English, the studentsworked hard during the yearto perfect their study, test taking andinterview skills. They were encouragedto move away from memorizinginformation and to build their criticalthinking abilities – while also learningto tackle science at the bench andwrite up laboratory reports.Steadily strengthening theirlanguage skills, several studentsachieved success in debating andwriting outside the classroom.They joined in regular debates withcolleagues in Education City’s AcademicBridge Program, and no fewerthan five had essays published in ananthology (see: Students become publishedauthors page 3).In addition, career seminars bymedical faculty and visits to HamadHospital introduced them to the realityof the profession.“Many people have an idea ofwhat they might specialize in, fromthe seminars,” Amna Al Khuzaeisaid. “At the hospital, we visited departments,met doctors and saw howthey manage their lives, combiningtheir busy schedules with beingparents, for example. This gave us apicture of ourselves in the future.”The next step for the students wasa six-week intensive at the SummerCollege on Cornell’s Ithaca campus,before returning to WCMC-Q forpre-med studies. Al Khuzaei wasupbeat: “The best part is that we areprepared. At this point, we knowthe pre-med faculty, so we know thepeople who’ll teach us,” she said.4 Qatar Chronicle

Pre-meds mark completion of programClass is “a very diverse family”Dr. Alonso congratulates Mouayyad Zaza of the Class of 2012News from WCMC-QDr. Michael Johnson congratulates Zeinab Sultan on completion of the Pre-medical Program,with Dean Alonso (center).The class of 2012 marked the endof their pre-medical educationin notably festive mood just afew days after WCMC-Q’s inauguralgraduation celebrations.Along with certificates of completionfor the 35 students, and plaquesfor faculty and leaders in recognitionof their contributions, there weretributes to former Associate Dean forPre-medical Education, Dr. DavidRobertshaw, who retired at the end ofthe academic year.“I’d like to formally congratulateand thank him for the many contributionshe has made to the program,and to the life of the medical schoolin general,” Dean Alonso said duringthe completion ceremony, May 14.Dr. Alonso outlined the developmentof the Medical College to date,and looked ahead to the future academicmedical center in EducationCity, to be formed by an affiliationbetween WCMC-Q and Qatar Foundation’sSidra Medical and ResearchCenter. “You have much to look forwardto,” he told the students.Senior Associate Dean for Education,Dr. Maya Hammoud, remindedthe class that she had also joined theMedical College in 2006. “We startedtogether – I interviewed just as youdid…and we all learned along theway,” she quipped. “I watched yougrow: Your class has character.”The best part of the pre-medexperience, Dwaa Osman said afterwards,was “the maturity level thatwe’ve reached here. We came as highschool kids and I’ve achieved thingsI never thought I would.”Bassem Zaki added: “Communicatingwith different cultures,meeting different types of people andmaking new, close friends…that’swhat helped us come through.”Professor of physics, Dr. Roger Hinrichs,who retired from WCMC-Q inJune, said he felt particularly close tothe class. “They mean a lot to me – theyare very good academically, but theyare also a very diverse family, from alot of different backgrounds. I thinkthey’ve come to realize they are a team,each one with different strengths.”This was also the message of studentspeaker Petro Kostandy. Thegains in knowledge and skills wereto be expected, he told the assembly;it was the other gains, of personalgrowth and “kinship,” that made theexperience special.Summer/Fall 2008 5

Inaugural Classmakes historyThey entered the Ritz-Carlton Doha as medical students, and they left asdoctors. The 15 young men and women of the Class of 2008 were welcomedinto the Weill Cornell Medical College family, May 8 – a historic day forthe State of Qatar, for Cornell University and for medical education.The first graduates to receive the MD degree of an American University outsidethe United States, they are pioneers of medical education in Qatar.6 Qatar Chronicle

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned with the Class of 2008, the first physicians ever to graduate from a MedicalCollege in Qatar and the first to receive the M.D. degree of Cornell University outside of the United States.“Your Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser. On thisoccasion, I offer my gratitude to Your Highness, and toHis Highness, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, andto the people of Qatar, and I congratulate the graduateson this special day.”With these words delivered in Arabic, Cornell President,Dr. David J. Skorton, delighted the assembly.Dr. Skorton congratulated the graduates, highlightedtheir achievements and reflected on his first meeting withthem. He charged them to continue to have the courage tolead the way throughout their careers and to risk breakingnew ground for the greater and personal good.And he urged them to act as “true partners” with theirpatients. “Accept your responsibility as physicians… alwaysto comfort, always to empathize with the patient and thefamily, always to remain humble and grateful,” he said.The graduation ceremony took place in the presence ofleaders of Cornell University and Weill Cornell in NewYork, Qatar Foundation, the National Health Authorityand Hamad Medical Corporation.Guest of honor, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah, joinedthe leadership on the dais. As the ceremony came to aclose, Dean of the Medical College in New York, Dr. AntonioGotto, and two graduates, presented her with aproclamation from Cornell University in appreciation ofher support, and with a doctor’s white coat and bag.Family, friends and WCMC-Q med and pre-med studentsjoined the throng in the Wosail Ballroom to applaudand cheer – almost raising the roof as the newly minteddoctors recessed out at the close of the ceremony.Summer/Fall 2008 7

Senior Honors Convocation:achievements, contributions recognizedSharon King and Rana Biarycollected a total of tenawards for academic andclinical excellence at the Senior HonorsConvocation, May 7, while JehanAl Rayahi was recognized for herleadership and her dedication to communityservice.Seven members of the WCMC-Qfaculty were recognized for excellencein teaching (see photograph), aswere Dr. Estomih Mtui and Dr. MarkPochapin of Weill Cornell in NewYork, and Dr. Abdallah Khairi andDr. Mohamed Asif of Hamad MedicalCorporation (HMC).In special presentationsto president Skorton andDean Alonso, Chairpersonof HMC’s Board Dr. LatifaAl Houty thanked them for“Partner, friend and dearcolleague” – Dr. Latifa Al Houty,Chairperson of HMC Board ofDirectors, presents Dean Alonsowith a gift in recognition of hiscontribution to building thepartnership between the twoinstitutions.Dr. Maya Hammoud (left) and Dean Alonso (right) with facultymembers selected for the Senior List, Drs. Nounou Taleghani,Nady Mohamed, Mohamud Verjee, Nithila Isaac and Bakr Nour.their support in building the partnership between the twoinstitutions, and presented them with gifts to mark “thisgreat and historic moment.”The venue at the Diplomatic Club also echoed withlaughter, as the audience enjoyed Al Rayahi’s tongue-incheekvideo tribute to her colleagues – highlighting theirfoibles as well as their talents, with input from facultymembers. To end the event, president of the Weill CornellAlumni Association, Dr. Gene Resnick ’74, welcomed theClass of 2008 to the fold.For a full list of awards, visit www.qatar-med.cornell.eduIn brief…“I met these young people six years ago, right when they werestarting. I remember telling them the future was in theirhands: If they did well, it would be so much easier for futuregenerations. That holds true today” – Sanford I. Weill“Not only do we have a class of wonderful, newly minted M.Ds.as of this week, but the results of the Match were spectacularlypositive” – President Skorton“There’s a great sense of accomplishment…We can say we haveset a very strong pillar in education” – Dean Alonso“They have been more than students: They are friends, colleagues,siblings of mine” – Dr. Nounou Taleghani“We are very proud of what they’ve accomplished. They are terrificyoung men and women, and they are very motivated”– Dr. Fabrizio Michelassi“You are poised to make a great difference to global medicaleducation” – Dean Gotto to WCMC-Q’s first M.Ds.“I am proud to tell you that I chose to stay right here in Qatar,my home country, with my family and friends… I am alsoproud to say that most of my colleagues expressed theirdesire to return to Qatar”– Jehan Al Rayahi ’08,in her Commencement speech“The biggest adventure was starting as a member of a new classthat didn’t have any classes ahead of it – and seeing howsuccessful it would be” – Subhi Al Aref ’08“I’ve discovered I’m much stronger than I thought I was”– Rana Biary ’08“I have 15 great classmates and colleagues who I’ll befriends with for life – that’s what’s so special”– Ayobami Omosola ’088 Qatar Chronicle

Getting together to celebrate: (l to r) Aisha Yousuf, Rana Biary,Ayobami Omosola, Jehan Al Rayahi, Sharon King and Vildana Omerovic.“It was an honor tobe asked to do this”– Dr. Nounou Taleghaniputs the hood onJehan Al Rayahi.As the ceremony comes to a close, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah dons thedoctor’s white coat and carries the bag presented to her by the Class of 2008.Waiting in the wings – members of the Class of ’08waiting in anticipation as their names are roll calledto collect their M.D. degrees.Dr. Maya HammoudcongratulatesKhalid Al Khelaifi.Joan and Sanford I. WeillSummer/Fall 2008 9

President Skorton:Courageous visionand tenacity havebrought success“Promoting understanding, building human capacity: WCMC-Q isan exemplar of Cornell University’s effort to reach out overseasand fulfil its role as the “land-grant university to the world,”said Dr. Skorton.In terms of cultural interchange, I think higher educationis one of the great diplomatic assets that the developedand developing worlds can share in common.”For Cornell’s president, Dr. David J. Skorton, WCMC-Qis an exemplar of how the University is promoting understandingand building human capacity in a country farfrom the home campus.The Class of 2008 – with 15 students from seven countries– were “making a positive statement about intercultural understandingthat is fitting with Cornell tradition,” he added.As a land-grant institution, Cornell was tasked withpromoting education in the practical arts from its foundationin 1865. “Cornellians have chosen to interpret theeducational and research mission (of the Morrill Act) morebroadly, as including direct action to improve the lives ofpeople overseas. In that sense, I do believe Cornell is theland-grant university to the world and this is a fabulous,innovative twist on that theme,” Dr. Skorton explained.Behind this successful transplantation of an Americanmedical education to another country and another culture,the product of a groundbreaking partnership betweenCornell University and Qatar Foundation, lie extraordinaryvision and a “long list of heroes,” he said.Dr. Skorton paid tribute to the leaders of Weill CornellMedical College in New York and Qatar; His Highness theEmir and Her Highness Sheikha Mozah; and Qatar Foundation’spresident, Dr. Mohammad Fathy Saoud, and vicepresident for education, Dr. Abdullah Al-Thani.“Their vision was first of all courageous and very forward-looking;secondly, they had the tenacity to see theproject through,” he said.He also thanked faculty and staff of WCMC-Q for theircontributions, and expressed great admiration for the pioneeringstudents who took a risk back in 2002 by enrollingin a new and as yet unproven medical school.“More than anything, I want to salute the students whohad the courage to apply and stay with something eventhough there was no path trod before they went through it.”Looking ahead, he said the University would continueto promote a vibrant culture of biomedical research in Qataralong with a habit of conducting research for its ownsake – key building blocks of a strong academic medicalcenter and health care system for the long term.Essential to this effort is the partnership between WCMC-Q, Qatar Foundation and Hamad Medical Corporation:“Interactions with the leaders have been hugely hearteningto me,” Dr. Skorton said. “They understand, in a visionaryway, the importance of investigation and inquiry in the qualityof medical care and of life in general in Qatar.”“Interactions with the leaders of Qatar Foundation and Hamad Medical Corporation havebeen hugely heartening to me. They understand, in a visionary way, the importance ofinvestigation and inquiry in the quality of medical care and of life in general in Qatar.”— Dr. David J. Skorton10 Qatar Chronicle

Graduation in the media spotlight“The future for our graduates is bright,” said Dean Alonso (third left) at the press conference, May 7.Our commitment is getting “deeper, broaderand bigger” — Sanford I. WeillMeeting the press a day ahead of the graduation ceremony,leaders of Cornell and Weill Cornell said thepartnership with Qatar Foundation was growing strongeryear on year.“This is a commitment to long-term involvement,” saidDean Gotto. “We are not planning to be in and out.”Pointing out that he is on the Board of the Foundation’srecently established U.S. branch, Sanford Weill saidhe and Dean Gotto also are on the Board of Sidra Medicaland Research Center. “Our commitment is getting deeper,broader and bigger – we’ll be here to take care of all of youas you get older!” he quipped.President Skorton drew attention to the larger vision.Leaders of the universities with branches in EducationCity had met the day before to form “an even strongerpartnership among themselves,” he said. One goal was tosupport the drive to change the nature of education in thecountry and create a knowledge-based economy.Her Highness is in a leadership role throughout the Gulfin establishing education as the basis of diversification forthe future, putting Qatar at the forefront of innovation inthe region, Dr. Skorton said.Asked about the future for WCMC-Q, Dean Alonsosaid the Medical College will continue to mature, developingits missions in patient care and research, while alsoenhancing its commitment to community service. And hepredicted a bright future for its graduates: “We are goingto do everything possible to bring them back to Qatar afterpostgraduate training.”Qatar Foundation “the best investmentfor the future”Earlier, president of Qatar Foundation, Dr. MohammadFathy Saoud, told a press conference at the organization’sheadquarters that the presence of top-class universitiesin Education City has a wider influence on society, citingthe collaboration between WCMC-Q and Hamad MedicalCorporation in the field of health care.He underlined the country’s commitment to Qatar Foundation,which encompasses education from pre-school topostgraduate level, as well as Qatar Science and TechnologyPark. “We believe Qatar Foundation and EducationCity are the best investment for the future,” he said.Dr. Saoud emphasized that the quality of education,and of students in the universities, is identical betweenhome and Qatar campuses. Students on the Qatar sidehave opportunities to go study or do research on the maincampuses – and they do just as well, he noted.“I couldn’t have asked for a betterexperience,” says U.S. graduateAsked about her decision to leave theU.S. and travel to Qatar to take her M.D. degree,Sharon King ’08 was wholly positive.“It was wonderful – I couldn’t haveasked for a better experience!” she responded.“I thought the opportunity tostudy in a culture different from my ownwould help me to grow as a person, openmy mind to new ways of thinking andmake me a better doctor; I think it has.”Alongside King at the press conference,May 7, were Qataris Jehan Al Rayahi ’08 andKhalid Al Khelaifi ’08, and Jordanian Subhi AlAref ‘08. Al Rayahi said any early anxietiesabout the academic challenges and coeducationalsetting were quickly dispelled once sheenrolled in WCMC-Q: “I felt very at ease, verycomfortable. My colleagues are from so manycountries, and they are very respectful.”Al Khelaifi paid tribute to his classmatesand thanked all those who had made realthe vision to establish WCMC-Q. “I am sohappy to accomplish and finish six years ofhard work,” he said, expressing pride at beingpart of Education City and readiness tocontribute to Qatar’s future.Summer/Fall 2008 11

Unique ceremonyin New YorkTaking the Hippocratic Oath in New York’sCarnegie Hall, May 29, were all but one ofWCMC-Q’s 15 graduates, together with the 96men and women graduating from Weill Cornell’s Manhattancampus this year.For the Qatar graduates, this second round of Commencementfestivities began the day before with an evening dinnercruise around Manhattan, accompanied by their families.“It’s a very nice way of ending our eventful journey,” saidnew physician Ibrahim Sultan. “It’s been the best six yearsof my life.” Also on board the Duchess were Joan and SanfordWeill and New York campus Dean Antonio Gotto andhis wife, Anita; guests from the Qatar branch included DeanAlonso, Havva Idriss, and Dr. Maya Hammoud.The following day, the WCMC-Q group joined their colleaguesfrom Weill Cornell in New York in the world-famousconcert hall, to form a unified Class of 2008 for the Commencement.More than 50 others, who had earned PhDsand master’s of science degrees from Weill Cornell GraduateSchool of Medical Sciences, also took part in the ceremony.With reporting by Beth SaulnierGala celebration in Education CityEarlier in May, WCMC-Q’s Class of 2008 took part inQatar Foundation’s Inaugural Senior Convocation,along with the first graduates of Carnegie MellonUniversity in Qatar and Texas A&M University at Qatar,and the seventh class to graduate from Virginia CommonwealthSchool of the Arts in Qatar.The event, held May 6, began with a formal processionof deans and faculty and ended on a high note with agala concert by Italian opera star Andrea Bocelli and Iraqiheart throb Kathem Al Saher, accompanied by musiciansof the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.President of Qatar Foundation, Dr. Mohammad FathySaoud presented gifts to the graduating students: watchesfor the men and diamond rings for the women.Then, representatives from each class placed mementosinside a time capsule. Stepping forward for WCMC-Q,Khalid Al Khelaifi, Jehan Al Rayahi and Kunali Dalal depositeda class photograph, a DVD of happy memoriesand a white coat signed by the whole class as tokens oftheir dedication to Education City.In his address, HH the Emir reaffirmed Qatar’s commitmentto sustainable human development, and underlinedthe central role of education in building a modern society.He praised Education City for welcoming talentedstudents of diverse backgrounds, making the campus “ameeting place for different civilizations to converge.”A time to remember:(above) president of QatarFoundation, Dr. MohammadFathy Saoud presents KhalidAl Khelaifi with a mementoat Education City’s InauguralConvocation.Aisha Yousuf (left) andKunali Dalal (right)celebrate together.12 Qatar Chronicle

In touch with the communityMed students experience“the humanity offamily practice”Focusing on the basis of medicine: Vildana Omerovic sees a patient in the Airport Health Center, observed by consultant physician andDirector of the facility, Dr. Samya Flamerzi.The six-week long Primary Care Clerkship, an integralpart of the Weill Cornell curriculum, introducesmedical students to a different kind of health carefrom their previous clerkship experiences.In Qatar, it is divided between attachments to primarycare centers, and Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC)internal medicine department and emergency room. Theclerks experience a wide cross-section of patient care – fromacute presentations of systemic illnesses by ambulatorypatients, geriatrics, childhood screening, prenatal care, preventivecare (e.g. vaccinations) and management of chronicdiseases, to triaging more urgent presentations.For the Class of 2008, who completed the Primary CareClerkship during their final year, it was also a way togauge how well prepared they were to move out of medicalschool and into full-time patient care.“Since primary care covers all the fields, it’s an opportunityto find out if you are ready: to sink or swim,” said SharonKing, who did the clerkship in fall 2007. “I realized throughoutthe rotation that I felt ready for my internship year. Itgave me the realization: ‘I’m going to be okay next year’.”Family physicians who supervised WCMC-Q’s youngdoctors-in-training in Doha’s Airport and West BayHealth Centers recognized their readiness. Consultant infamily medicine and Director of West Bay Health Center,Dr. Zeleikha Al Bashwar, said they had made impressiveprogress since their first and second year preceptorshipsin the Medicine, Patients and Society courses.“There’s a big change. At the beginning, we used toteach them simple things like how to take a patient’s history.Now, they are very good in clinical practice, seeingthe patients and examining them,” she commented.From Pap smears to triageDr. Mohamud Verjee, assistant professor of familymedicine and Director of the clerkship, explained its rationale:“It is an opportunity for students to see life, healthand illness at the presenting stage rather than the severe,intense stage. It is extremely relevant to the overall healthof any community or nation.”A significant advantage of working in the health centersis that there is both time and office space for theyoung doctors-in-training to investigate cases thoroughly,run tests where relevant and follow the patients up.“We ask them to try and see ten to twelve patients inone session from about 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,” Dr. Verjeesaid. “We encourage them to see the patients on their own,(Continued on page 23)Summer/Fall 2008 13

Historic match day“To see them match so well –I knew they would.They are all very strong individuals.I’m very pleased.”— Dr. David Robertshaw“It’s definitely an inspiration.We look forward to continuing tomeet the goals they have set.”— Pankit VachhaniSecond-year premedAli Farooki, seen celebrating his successful match in anesthesiology to Rush UniversityMedical Center, Illinois.March 20 – match day – saw history in themaking at WCMC-Q, as the Class of 2008successfully matched to residencies in theirchosen specialties.They are the first home-grown medical students inQatar to go through the ‘match’, the highly competitiveprocess by which all med school fourth years and graduatesaiming to do residencies in the U.S. secure places inresidency programs.Their reactions? “I’m ecstatic,” said Mashael Al Khulaifi,who matched to an anesthesiology residency atNewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.“I’m glad I got my first choice – Cornell. It’s all good.”As it was too for Rana Biary, Subhi Al Aref and KunaliDalal, all of whom will be joining Al Khulaifi next yearat Weill Cornell. And for their classmates, who matchedto residencies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore;Rush University Medical Center in Chicago; and the Universityof Minnesota, among others.Three class members have chosen to do residencies atHamad Medical Corporation in Qatar: Khalid Al Khelaifiand Osama Alsaied opted for surgery, while Jehan AlRayahi is pursuing her dream of becoming a radiologist.Meanwhile, Aisha Yousuf is to conduct research in obstetricsand gynecology at the University of Michigan,rather than enter a residency program next year.The newly matched students chose diverse specialtiesincluding family medicine, internal medicine, surgery, radiology,obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine,neurosurgery and anesthesiology.Dean of WCMC-Q, Dr. Daniel Alonso sent his congratulationsfrom New York, where he was on a business trip.“Your credentials, commitment, motivation, and perseverancehave resulted in extraordinary success,” he told“You deserve a lot of credit for embarking on this great adventure. There were a lot ofchallenges, like with any new program . . . You all did amazingly well in your matches,and we are very proud of you.”— Dr. Maya Hammoud, Senior Associate Dean for Education at WCMC-Q14 Qatar Chronicle

Where they are goingGraduate Residency Program SpecialtySubhi Al Aref NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center-NY Internal MedicineKhalid Al Khelaifi Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar SurgeryMashael Al Khulaifi NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center-NY AnesthesiologyJehan Al Rayahi Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar RadiologyOsama Alsaied Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar SurgeryRana Biary NYP-Columbia/Cornell-NY Emergency MedicineKunali Dalal NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center-NY Ob/Gyn-preliminaryAli Farooki Rush University Medical Center-IL AnesthesiologyAmila Husic Lahey Clinic-MA General surgerySharon King University of Wyoming-Cheyenne-WY Family medicineVildana Omerovic NY Hospital Medical Center Queens-NY General surgeryAyobami Omosola Virginia Commonwealth University-VA Internal medicineIbrahim Sultan Johns Hopkins University-MD Surgery-preliminaryDino Terzic University of Minnesota Medical School-MN NeurosurgeryAisha Yousuf University of Michigan-MI Research-Ob/Gyn“Your credentials, commitment, motivation, and perseverance have resulted in extraordinarysuccess. Yours is a very impressive achievement, one that is admired by all of us at WCMC-Q,at Weill Cornell Medical College and at Cornell University.”— Dr. Daniel Alonso, Dean of WCMC-Qthe students. “Yours is a very impressive achievement,one that is admired by all of us at WCMC-Q, at Weill CornellMedical College and at Cornell University.”During a reception held in their honor at the MedicalCollege, Dr. Maya Hammoud, Senior Associate Dean forEducation at WCMC-Q, added her congratulations to thestudents – and the faculty and staff who supported themover the last six years: “This is all teamwork. We all have towork together to accomplish what we accomplished today.”Dr. Hammoud told the class: “You deserve a lot ofcredit for embarking on this great adventure. There werea lot of challenges, like with any new program . . . Youall did amazingly well in your matches, and we are veryproud of you.”With the elation came relief: Match day is an anxietyfraughtday for all med students, not least the WCMC-QInaugural Class, the first to graduate from a program locatedoutside the U.S.So theirs was an historic achievement, and one thatadded to the sense of history being made at Weill CornellMedical College in New York, where Dr. Carol Storey-Johnson, Senior Associate Dean for Education, told the 96students in the Class of 2008 that they had achieved WeillCornell’s best ever match.Professor of physiology at WCMC-Q, Dr. David Robertshaw,was thrilled by his students’ success, but hewasn’t surprised. “To see them match so well – I knewthey would,” he said. “They are all very strong individuals.I’m very pleased.”Underclassmen also came to the reception to supporttheir friends and mentors.“It’s definitely an inspiration,” said second-year premedPankit Vachhani. “We look forward to continuingto meet the goals they have set – maybe even to goingbeyond them.”With reporting by Lauren Gold, Cornell University science writer.Summer/Fall 2008 15

Faculty NewsDr. Imad Makki appointedAssistant Dean for Research AdministrationDr. Imad MakkiDr. Imad Makki has been appointedto the position of AssistantDean for Research Administration.Senior lecturer in physics and Directorof the Foundation Program sincehe joined WCMC-Q in 2006, Dr. Makkiwill continue with these responsibilitieswhile also organizing and administeringthe program of summer researchfellowships for WCMC-Q studentsin Qatar and the U.S. that was establishedin 2004. Developing a programhe initiated in the spring semester, hewill introduce research training forhigh school students as a way to motivatethem for careers in medicine andbiomedical research. Finally, he will coordinatecompetitive external researchfunding from national and internationalsources and administer the processof internal review of planned researchapplications by faculty and students.Dr. Makki brings a wealth of experienceto his new post. He worked forthe Ford Motor Company ResearchLaboratory in the U.S. for 15 years,where he initiated, funded and managedmultiple research collaborationprograms with several universities,generating numerous patents, andjournal and conference papers, andwinning a number of awards for hiswork. He has taught at a number ofuniversities in the U.S. and has beenactively engaged in graduate educationat both MS and PhD levels.(For more, see Qatar Chronicle no: 6,page 17).Appointments to the facultyRavinder Mamtani, MBBS, MD,MSc, has been appointed professorof public health. After receiving hisMBBS and MD degrees from the M.A.Medical College of the University ofDelhi, India, Dr. Mamtani pursuedpostgraduate training in the U.K. andU.S.A., earning a MSc degree in communitymedicine from the Universityof Manchester Medical School, U.K.On moving to the U.S. in 1984, hewas appointed assistant professor ofcommunity and preventive medicineat New York Medical College, Valhalla,NY, and rose through the ranks to becomeprofessor of clinical communityand preventive medicine, associate professorof clinical medicine, and adjunctprofessor of clinical public health.A Diplomate of the AmericanBoard of Preventive Medicine ingeneral preventive medicine andpublic health, and occupational medicine,Dr. Mamtani was an attendingin occupational medicine at theWestchester Medical Center beforejoining WCMC-Q.Dr. Mamtani’s research interestsare in infectious and occupationaldiseases, cancer, complementarymedicine and medical education. Asa principal investigator of a NationalInstitutes of Health, National CancerInstitute grant (1991-95) he developedand taught a new course onnutrition and cancer prevention formedical students at New York MedicalCollege. He has written numerousarticles in the fields of public health,and preventive and integrative medicine,for peer reviewed journals.In the health care and educationalspheres, his interests are in developinginnovative medical educationDr. Ravinder Mamtaniprograms, an evidence based approachto patient and chronic diseasemanagement, occupational health,global health and emerging healthcare trends.16 Qatar Chronicle

Faculty NewsJ. Michael Conlon, DPhil, hasjoined WCMC-Q as professorof biochemistry. After earning aD.Phil. degree in organic chemistryat Sussex University, U.K., Dr. Conlonwas awarded a post-doctoralfellowship at University CollegeDublin, Eire, followed by a furtherfellowship at Queen’s UniversityBelfast, N. Ireland, U.K. Thereafter,he was a Medical Research CouncilTravelling Fellow at SouthwesternMedical School, Dallas in the U.S.state of Texas, and then a senior researchfellow at the University ofNewcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K.Following a period as Director ofthe Clinical Research Group for GastrointestinalEndocrinology at theMax Planck Society, University ofGottingen, Germany, Dr. Conlon wasappointed professor of biochemistryat Creighton University MedicalSchool, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. In2002, he moved to the Arabian Gulfregion, to take up the post of professorand Chairman of Biochemistry inthe faculty of medicine, United ArabEmirates University, Al-Ain, UAE.Dr. Conlon’s research hasfocused on three areas: gastrointestinalendocrinology, comparativeendocrinology, and antimicrobialand anticancer peptides. He haspublished over 440 articles in peerreviewedjournals and has authored44 books, book chapters and reviews.Part of his work at WCMC-Q will bein the development of the researchmission.With considerable experienceof teaching at undergraduate andgraduate level as a lecturer andproblem-based learning tutor, Dr.Dr. J. Michael ConlonConlon’s teaching commitments atWCMC-Q are in both pre-medicaland medical programs.Huseyin Refik Burgut, MS, PhD, isvisiting professor of biostatistics inthe Department of Public Health.After pursuing undergraduateeducation in Turkey, Dr. Burgutmoved to the United States, wherehe earned a MS degree in biostatisticsfrom Case Western ReserveUniversity followed by a PhD, alsoin biostatistics, from the Universityof Pittsburgh Graduate School ofPublic Health.On returning to Turkey in 1983,Dr. Burgut was appointed assistantprofessor in the Department ofPublic Health, Cukurova UniversitySchool of Medicine in Adana. Herose through the ranks to becomeprofessor, as well as Chairman ofthe Department of Biostatistics – anappointment he has held on threeseparate occasions.Dr. Huseyin Refik BurgutDr. Burgut’s recent research hasincluded quality of life studies inbreast cancer patients, biomarkers inthe diagnosis and prognosis of cancers,a number of studies of cancerssuch as those related to smoking,and the design and analysis ofclinical studies. He has published anumber of papers in peer-reviewedjournals. He has also served on theeditorial board of university medicaljournals, on a publications committeeand on the executive committeeof the Health Sciences Institute ofCukurova University.With experience of teaching atboth undergraduate and graduatelevel, Dr. Burgut has taught coursesin epidemiology, biostatistics,statistical methods and samplingmethods. He has also been advisoror co-advisor to graduate studentsin biostatistics and public health, inMS and residency programs.Summer/Fall 2008 17

Faculty NewsNew Associate Dean for pre-med bringsinternational perspective to the postMichael Johnson, PhD, wasappointed Associate Deanfor Pre-medical Educationin January, in succession to David Robertshaw,PhD, professor of physiology,who held the position for six yearsfrom the inception of WCMC-Q.Dr. Johnson earned his doctoraldegree in physiology from theUniversity of Michigan and had adistinguished career at West VirginiaUniversity (WVU) School of Medicine,attaining the rank of professor ofphysiology in 1988.Unusually, Dr. Johnson came toWCMC-Q with recent experience of astart-up medical school in the region.From 2001-2006, he was foundingDean of the Oman Medical College,a new private medical school in theSultanate of Oman, in which WVUhad an advisory role.So his move to WCMC-Q wasinformed both by a deep understandingof medical education, and byrecent experience of its internationaldimension.“One of the reasons I’m here isbecause I firmly believe that whatCornell, and a few others, are doingare some of the greatest educationalexperiments of our generation,” heexplained. “How they turn out is goingto have a major effect, not only oneducation across these cultures, buton how the cultures view each other.I think it’s terribly important – it goesway beyond education.”He noted that WCMC-Q is uniqueamong these new ventures: “No otherU.S. medical school is doing whatWeill Cornell is doing. This is theonly place that a student outside theU.S. can earn a U.S. medical degreewithout going there.”Dr. Johnson’s first impression ofDr. Michael JohnsonWCMC-Q’s students was whollypositive. “The ones I have met arevery bright, inquisitive and motivated– and extremely grateful for theopportunity they have been given.”Reforming the program,reaching the communityAmong early tasks, the AssociateDean is working on plans alreadyunder development to extendWCMC-Q’s Pre-medical Programfrom two to three years’ duration,and to increase opportunities for studentsto be engaged in research.“This would decompress the premedyears, and it would allow thestudents to take some electives, socialsciences and humanities that theydon’t now get a chance to take,” Dr.Johnson said.“We believe these opportunitieswill produce more well-rounded doctorswho will provide the best patientcare, while getting involved themselvesand keeping up-to-date withthe latest discoveries in medicine.”At the same time, WCMC-Q may extendits already thriving communityoutreach activities to assist youngpeople in making informed careerdecisions. “We need to better educatethe community on what it takes,and means, to go to medical school,”he commented.Education for lifeA seasoned medical educator, Dr.Johnson has been recommended for appointmentas professor of physiology,and is a problem-based learning (PBL)tutor to first year medical students.While at WVU, he was a facultyleader in the process of curriculummodernization common to most U.S.medical schools in the early 1990s,moving away from teaching blocks ofinformation-heavy material towardssystem-based courses that developedstudents’ skills for lifelong learning.He also became interested inhow biology was taught at the undergraduatelevel. Convinced thatinformation-overload was “turningstudents off” – particularly thenon-science majors – he argued forbuilding a conceptual frameworkthat showed how biology is connectedto people’s lives and to the worldaround them. That conviction ledhim to write an undergraduate biologytextbook for non-science majors,Human Biology: Concepts and CurrentIssues, now in its fourth edition.Looking back over his time inmedical education, Dr. Johnson saidthe relationship between studentsand faculty has changed for the better.“The mentor, or advisor, modelsgood behavior, takes the student underhis or her wing, and treats themlike they are joining the fraternity.”And it is a model he has found workingwell at WCMC-Q.18 Qatar Chronicle

Entertaining, informative, diverse – Peter Fortunato, Autumn Watts, Dr. Alan Weber and Dr. Rodney Sharkey.Setting the mind freeEnglish faculty deliver sparkling literary lectures seriesThroughout April, members of the English facultybrought their creative and research talents to anaudience from within and outside WCMC-Q in asecond annual literary lectures series as remarkable for itsdiversity as it was entertaining and informative.Senior lecturer Peter Fortunato invited his audience tolet their minds range “unrestricted and free” and proceeded,with neat irony, to hold them spellbound as he wove a magicaltapestry of images in some 20 poems. With grace and wit,Fortunato conjured a satirical take on expat life; reflections onmortality; and a notable portrait of Florence in I walked alongthe Arno. He highlighted the personal transformation thatcomes from moving beyond custom or received wisdom,noting: “It takes courage to break with traditional roles.” InVincit instans Fortunato reflected on the poet’s preoccupationwith impermanence, referencing the sixteenth century philosopherand iconoclast Giordano Bruno. “Eternity hangs inthe poet’s effort to capture the moment,” he said.The history of women in medicine and medical education– the subject of a presentation by assistant professor, Dr.Alan Weber – was a sobering account of two steps forwardand one step back. While female practitioners were recordedin ancient Egypt and Greece, and are known to have practicedand taught in Europe’s religious houses in the MiddleAges, they were virtually excluded from the profession fromthe Renaissance period. In the nineteenth century, womenstruggled to qualify and practice as physicians in the UnitedStates and Britain, only to suffer a backlash in the U.S. from1910 to 1935. The Flexner Report (1910), which sharply criticizedthe female-only medical colleges, “was devastating towomen’s medical education,” Dr. Weber noted; not until the1970s did the situation improve significantly.Natural and unnatural histories, communities on theedge, and distance – geographic, social, economic: Thethreads running through a mixed media presentation bylecturer Autumn Watts created memorable photographicand verbal images of Nevada. Peeling back the layersto examine her home state, she revealed mountains andvast dry lake beds; a culture shaped by a passion forhorses; and the glitz of Las Vegas versus the povertyof the rural desert. Watts traced parallel shapes in marinelife and the terrifying clouds of atomic explosionsover the Yucca Flat Test Site. “To Nevadans, the atomictests are only one more superlative in a State endowedwith already spectacular history and scenery” declaredNational Geographic Magazine writer Samuel W. Matthewsin 1953; “life only grows sadder by increments,”observed Watts in 2008.Finally, assistant professor Dr. Rodney Sharkeybrought the series to a rousing conclusion with a provocativeexploration of James Joyce’s resolute effort tobreak free from the colonial past of his homeland – Ireland.Striving to go “au bout de l’anglais,” Joyce soughtto move beyond the constraints of an imposed languageand culture, he argued. Impassioned and witty, a masterof poetry and anecdote, Dr. Sharkey addressed the topicthrough the prism of nationalism rather than with referenceto the artistic milieu in which Joyce lived and wrote.Joyce set his readers free by inviting them to interprethis creative and subversive writing in their own way,he said. Arguably, this was at the risk of veering fromparody into surrealism, but the last word goes to the lastimage: James Joyce, elegant as ever, standing oppositehis American patron and publisher, Sylvia Beach – in thedoorway of Shakespeare & Co., Paris.Summer/Fall 2008 19

Getting the message across: EvolvingThe spring semester saw increasinginvolvement by foundation andpre-medical faculty in outreachactivities with local schools.For the first time, seven 1 pre-med facultymembers took part in a science andmath Olympiad, hosted by Doha IndependentSecondary School for Boys, March23-27. They assisted with preparing testquestions, and were present to monitorproceedings and announce the winners.Teams of students from six schools inQatar competed in Internet-based, timedtests, a format developed by the schoolwith support from ictQATAR 2 .Commenting on the positive andfriendly atmosphere, Dr. Marco Ameduri,senior lecturer in physics andAssistant Dean for Pre-medical Education,said the event allowed students toexperience how scientists work.“I think it’s important to instill in students both asense of competitiveness and a sense of achieving a goalthrough collaboration. Science is a collaborative effort,and it’s also competitive – doing this kind of activity ingroups captures that.”Dr. Michael Smith, professor of biology, said he waspleased to have an opportunity to get out into schools and“see how students perform.”And he highlighted the benefits of the inter-school exchange:“To bring them together is a healthy thing anda good, productive, educational experience, even if theyonly have a few minutes to chat to each other.”The school also hosted a career exhibition, includingbooths set up by WCMC-Q and Hamad Medical Corporation– bringing home the message that Qatar offers growingopportunities in medical education and health care.“We want the students to have a window to see their futureafter graduation from secondary school,” said scienceand professional development coordinator at the school,Azzam Abu Hanieh. “The career fair helps our studentsunderstand their choices for the future.”WCMC-Q Associate Dean for Pre-medical Education,Dr. Michael Johnson, said this was an important part ofWCMC-Q’s outreach.“We are not just promoting ‘why come to Cornell?’ We20 Qatar ChronicleWhat is it really like to be a student at WCMC-Q? Students from Al Bayan ScientificSchool visit in February to find out for themselves.have to talk about ‘why become a doctor?’ The studentsnow have opportunities they did not previously have, andthey are choosing their careers so much younger (than inthe U.S.), which makes it more difficult for them.”In February, WCMC-Q hosted visits by students fromAl Bayan Scientific School, and Omar Bin Al-KhattabEducational Complex for Boys, two of the main feeder institutionsfor the Medical College – again, reaching out toyoung people considering a career in medicine. Almost allthe visitors were Qatari nationals.They spent several hours meeting faculty members andstudents in the Foundation and Pre-medical Programs,finding out about the reality of studying at WCMC-Q andtrying their hand at experiments in the physics lab.“What we want them to take away from events likethis is that, once they enter Weill Cornell, we will givethem all the support we can to help them succeed,” saidDr. Imad Makki, senior lecturer in physics and Directorof the Foundation Program. “The field of medicine is noteasy, and this is their biggest concern. We want to prove tothem that they can do it.”In the field of teachers’ professional development, facultygave presentations in the third Annual Symposium onScience Teaching and Learning, held at Qatar University(QU) in February. Organizing the event on the WCMC-Q1Faculty participating were: Dr. Michael Johnson, Dr. Marco Ameduri, Dr. Kevin Smith, Dr. Michael Pungente, Dr. Michael Smith and Dr. Chris Ogden. Inaddition, Dr. Terrance Murphy joined with Dr. Gary Warnock of CMU-Q in presenting a science show demonstrating the composition of atoms and molecules.2ictQATAR: the Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology.

program of outreach among schoolsObserving boys from Doha Independent SecondarySchool as they take part in the biology Olympiad,March 25, are Dr. Mike Smith and Dr. Chris Ogden.“What we want them to take away from events like this is that, once they enter Weill Cornell,we will give them all the support we can to help them succeed.”— Dr. Imad Makki, senior lecturer in physics and Director of the Foundation Programside were professor of physics, Dr. Roger Hinrichs; associateprofessor of organic chemistry, Dr. Kevin Smith; andlecturer in biology, Dr. Chris Ogden.The symposium attracted more participants than ever,up from over 80 at the first event in 2006 to about 250 thisyear. While previous events focussed on laboratory-basedlearning, this year’s meeting explored the development ofskills of critical analysis, problem solving and research.Among the speakers were WCMC-Q faculty Dr. Hinrichs;Dr. Sheila Qureshi, senior lecturer in chemistry; andDr. Renee Richer, visiting assistant professor in biology.Meanwhile, professor of mathematics, Dr. ThomasRishel, contributed to a review of the implementation ofthe math curriculum introduced in Qatar’s independentschools 3 some four years ago.As a member of Qatar Mathematical Standards Committee,set up by the Supreme Education Council’s (SEC)Office of Curriculum Standards, he worked on an assessmentof how far standards are being met and how thechangeover to instruction in English is being handled.This meant surveying and visiting schools across the country,observing classroom teaching, and meeting with senioradministrators and teachers, said Dr. Rishel, an experiencedteacher and teacher trainer at tertiary level, who also collaboratedwith the National Council of Teachers of Mathematicswhile at the Mathematical Association in Washington, D.C.“It’s a random sample of schools, so we have a fairsizedimpression of what’s going on in the independentsector,” he commented.And the outcome? After visiting 10 schools, Dr. Rishelsaid good progress was being made in delivering the mathcurriculum in English, and attention was likely to focus onthe need to provide more opportunities for teacher training.Clearly, faculty members’ engagement in outreach isgrowing, and likely to evolve further. As Dr. Ameduri explained:“It’s a work-in-progress, and it will remain so. It’salways important to understand what the needs are – andthe needs may change; what the situation on the groundis – and that changes rapidly. We have to be flexible in thetype of things we do.”3Independent schools were set up following a study of Qatar’s education system by RAND Corporation. They are government-funded and supervised by the SEC,under the chairmanship of the Heir Apparent, H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Following major reform of the K-12 curricula, the SEC issupervising the schools’ compliance with the standards laid down for Arabic, English, math and science.Summer/Fall 2008 21

On-campus residences: towards sustainable livingTransforming residents’ lives: Education City’s new accommodationswill transform the student experience by creating an environmentthat promotes sustainability and nurtures community life.Taking a first step in one of the most exciting developmentson the Education City campus to date,Qatar Foundation will this summer break groundon new student residence complexes.Within about eighteen months, the campus should seecompletion of two clusters, totalling 12 buildings. Theprojects, supervised by the Foundation’s Office of CapitalProjects and by Qatar Petroleum, will pave the waytowards transforming residents’ lives by placing unprecedentedemphasis on sustainability.Designed by U.S.-based Burns & McDonnell EngineeringCompany and their consultant Treanor Architects,a practice specializing in student life facilities, the residentialcomplexes will enable students to have a trulyrounded educational experience, stated Kevin Konecny,Director of Campus and Residence Life.“The design makes a statement. These are buildingswhere, in addition to learning in the classroom, studentswill be learning about sustainability because they’ll beliving it,” he said. “We hope to help university studentsdevelop green lifestyle practices that will last a lifetime.”Qatar Foundation aims to achieve Leadership in Energyand Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certificationfrom the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), of whichit is a member. If granted, this would be the largest groupof Platinum buildings in the world to receive the Council’stop accolade.The first cluster of buildings, for women, is under constructionnear Al Jazeera Children’s Channel studios, withcompletion envisaged in summer 2009. Male students willbe accommodated in a second complex to the southeast,on land that will be brought within the campus boundariesthis summer.Inside story: students will have access to top-quality residentialaccommodation.Partly inspired by the layout of a traditional Arab village,each complex has a community center – with spacefor students from across the campus to mingle – officesand meeting rooms; dining facilities based on the “marketplace dining concept” with stations for food preparation;residence halls, accessible only to the residents; and essentialservices such as a convenience store.Multiple configurations will provide residents with achoice of accommodations, from halls where each studenthas a single room and en-suite bathroom, to apartmentbuildings housing studios, and one- and two-bedroomapartments.Through a consultative process organized with ResidenceHall Council officers, among them students fromWCMC-Q, Konecny has made sure that the student’svoice has been heard during the planning phase, and thisis set to continue.But what really sets these twenty-first century communitiesapart is the way in which sustainability has beenintegrated into the design, which also scores highly interms of quality of landscaping.The LEED rating system – a voluntary, consensusbasedset of standards applicable to public and private22 Qatar Chronicle

“The design makes a statement. These are buildings where, in addition to learning in theclassroom, students will be learning about sustainability because they’ll be living it.”— Kevin Konecny, Director of Campus and Residence Lifebuildings – focuses on areas such as site development,sustainable use of materials, water and energy efficiency,and the quality of the indoor environment.The architects have oriented the buildings, and used externalscreens and overhangs to minimize heat-load fromthe sun. Another feature is a high performance ‘buildingenvelope’ on the exterior walls of each structure to providesignificant insulation. In addition, a proportion ofthe construction materials has been sourced regionally toreduce the buildings’ carbon footprint.Wastewater will be filtered, using a biomass wall amongother technologies, and the gray water used for irrigatingthe grounds. Renewable energy sources, including solarpanels, photovoltaic cells and wind turbines, are set tomeet part of each community’s energy requirements.The “first truly green buildings in Education City,” thenew residence complexes may yet become a center of attention,not only as the home of the international and highlydiverse communities typical of the campus, but as groundbreakingsustainable developments in their own right.In touch with the community (Continued from page 13)develop the history and physical, form their differentialdiagnoses, and suggest a management and treatmentplan. Once they have got it all together, the consultant orspecialist reviews it, discusses it and may make appropriatemodifications if required.”Assigned to a chronic disease clinic at the Airport HealthCenter, Vildana Omerovic was seeing patients sufferingprimarily from diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemiawhen we caught up with her one February morning.“Most of the patients come on a regular basis, so youcan follow them up,” she said, during a break from theclinic. “You can see if their disease is progressing or not,and (judge) if what you are doing is working.”For the clerks to get the most out of the experience, theyneed excellent interpersonal skills, according to Dr. SamyaFlamerzi, consultant in family medicine, Director of theAirport Health Center and Omerovic’s supervisor.“In family medicine, the way of communication withpatients is very important. That’s why I teach the medicalstudents to establish a good rapport. It is these communicationskills, and the humanity of family practice, thatthey learn in primary care,” said Dr. Flamerzi, who – likeDr. Al Bashwar – regularly supervises Year 1 to 4 residentsin family medicine, in addition to residents in pediatricsand WCMC-Q’s medical students.By contrast, in HMC’s emergency room, the top priorityis to provide a fast response to a heavy flow of patients.“It means seeing a huge volume of patients in a veryshort time, some with complaints that are not very serious.It’s a wonderful diversity of cases,” Dino Terzic said.“The doctor determines if there’s anything urgent, or if itcan wait and should be referred to outpatient clinics.”Great learning experiencesMost memorable for King, who was raised in easternOregon and has chosen a career in rural family medicine,was the chance to participate in health screening.“I did a well woman clinic once or twice a week, andthat was the best gynecological experience I’ve had – itwas amazing! The physicians allowed me to be part of allof it: the breast exam, Pap smear, pelvic exam. It was agreat learning experience.”Set on different career paths, her classmates identifiedother strengths in the clerkship, from Omerovic’s observationthat this is where they focus on the basis of medicinein an otherwise high-tech age, to Terzic’s encounters withpotential neurosurgery patients.“It’s useful to see the cases at primary care level, becausein the setting of neurosurgery, you see patients whohave already been worked up and diagnosed,” said Terzic,who is pursuing a career in the subspecialty.“I never previously got to see the trials of pain medicationand physiotherapy done before that stage. Now I’veseen how people are referred to physio, and how they’vetried one pain medication or another, and it brings moremeaning to the cases.”What they did not quite agree on was when best to dothe clerkship. Surgeon-to-be Omerovic said it would workvery well early in the third year, as a “gradual introduction”to clinical practice.But King thought otherwise. “The clerkship is a wonderfulchance to pull together all the fields you have beento. For me, the best thing was being able to apply myknowledge and almost take on the role of the physician.”In the attractive surroundings of West Bay’s EducationCenter, which opened in November 2007, Dr. Al Bashwarwas looking ahead, and ready to welcome any of themback: “I’d love to have a Weill Cornell graduate here as aresident. We saw them from the beginning and we knowhow good they are.”Summer/Fall 2008 23

125 Another annual event, the international night organizedby MSEC-Q on April 17, attracted an enthusiasticcrowd to the student lounge. In the program: A widevariety of cultural traditions, dress, cuisine and humor,all reflecting the international flavor of theWCMC-Q community.1 The annual Employee Appreciation Event brought togetherthe WCMC-Q community on a fine spring eveningin April – with plenty of fun and games for the children, abarbecue, raffle, music and dance.2 Care in the community: Adam Khader ’10 was one ofmore than 30 WCMC-Q faculty and students who steppedup to help at a medical camp for low-income workers organizedby the Indian Medical Association Qatar Chapterand the Indian Islamic Association Qatar, April 25.6 “We helped make it happen!”Dean Alonso, RanaBiary ’08, Sharon King ’08and Vice Dean Idriss cut thecelebration cake for facultyand staff on Graduation Day,May 8.43 First held in fall 2004, WCMC-Q’s coffee houses have gonefrom strength to strength. Showcasing the many and variedtalents of the community – not only at the Medical College,but across the Education City campus – the spring ’08 coffeehouse featured music, dance and comedy.34 Qatar Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series, 2008:Nobel Laureate Professor Ferid Murad, from the Instituteof Molecular Medicine, University of Texas at HoustonHealth Science Center, delivered a lecture on the Discoveryof nitric oxide and cyclic GMP in cell signaling and their rolein drug development at WCMC-Q on May 4.5624 Qatar Chronicle

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www.qatar-med.cornell.eduWeill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was jointly established bythe Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Developmentand Cornell University